Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

Origins of the Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean Diet has been highly regarded and recommended by physicians for decades. This cultural healthy-eating pattern in known for its miraculous effect on cardiovascular health. The term “Mediterranean Diet” originates from a medical study conducted by Ancel Keys in the 1950s called The Seven Countries Study. This research compared the diet and cardiovascular health of cohorts from the USA, Finland, former Yugoslavia, Netherlands, Greece, Italy, and Japan over the course of 50 years. Keys and his team found that populations in Greece and Italy had 39% lower risk for coronary mortality, and 29% lower risk for cardiovascular mortality compared to the U.S. This phenomenon was attributed to the dietary habits of the selected populations. The Mediterranean Diet originates from ancient societies native to the Mediterranean Basin, otherwise known as “the cradle of civilization.” Although there’s 18 countries that border the Mediterranean, with distinct traditions and varied gastronomy, there are some culinary trends that occur across the entire region. The Mediterranean Diet is centered around whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lots of olive oil. This...

Continue reading

What are Unique Corporate Gift Ideas for 2023?

What are Unique Corporate Gift Ideas 2023?   Why do any of us send corporate gifts? We want to want to recognize, appreciate, or connect with a client or employee, right? So where do we start? We think about what kind of gift to send. We think about what options are out there and what that person would prefer. What are the first gifts that come to mind? Chocolate? Wine? Maybe Popcorn? These are nice options. They can be indulgent or elegant or even fun. But, what happens when the person opens the gift? Do you want them to be thinking, “Oh, yay, this is what I get every time. Thank you so much.”? Picture this: a truly unique gift that will surprise them and delight them at the same time! How can you make this happen? What makes a gift unique? Maybe it’s an uncommon or hard to find item. Maybe it’s from a small, family-owned company that mostly caters to their local area, making it like a well-kept secret and an amazing find when you happen upon it....

Continue reading

Beyond your Basic Vinaigrette

How to Step Up Your Salad Dressing Game Here at Pasolivo, we’re big believers in the Mediterranean Diet. Based on the traditional cuisine of Greece, Spain, Italy, Lebanon, Turkey, etc., The Mediterranean Diet is known to decrease risk of heart disease and increase longevity, as scientific studies have shown. These countries are part of the 5 Blue Zones of the world– regions where the average life expectancy is significantly higher than the average American thanks to the diet and lifestyle of each given culture. [caption id="attachment_2815" align="alignnone" width="620"] The Mediterranean diet is full of polyphenol-rich olive oil, seasonal fruits and veggies, and limited dairy and meat consumption.[/caption] Eat Like a Mediterranean The Mediterranean diet requires at least 4 servings of vegetables daily, going beyond the USDA recommendation of 2 to 3 cups of vegetables for the average adult. For those health-conscious foodies out there, salad is often a daily menu item to hit these goals. And since olive oil is the primary source of fat in the Mediterranean Diet, a vinaigrette to pair is a must. Which can get a...

Continue reading

Valentine Date Night Guide

  How to Host a Romantic Italian-Style Dinner The Pasolivo Valentine Date Night Guide There's no better to way to show affection than by cooking a meal for that special someone. Food is love, after all. Show your Valentine how much you care by putting together a beautifully romantic, thoughtful meal they'll never forget with a little bit of help from Pasolivo. Follow along to learn the ins and outs of hosting a formal, romantic dinner for your S.O. You'll be a pro by the end of this article!   Setting the scene Ambiance is everything. Creating the mood is the first and arguably most important part of hosting a dinner for your valentine. Here's some tips for establishing the Italian dinner party vibe:  No overhead lighting– stick to candles and lamps. You want to create a soft, ambient glow. These mini candles fit perfectly on the dinner table, and add a layer of warmth to the scene. Pull your best table cloth out of the linen closet– or how about one of these Parisian table runners as featured above? These are...

Continue reading

The How To’s of Olive Oil

Pasolivo Olive Oil Tasting
As Pasolivo’s level two olive oil sommelier and master blender, I’m sharing some tips and tricks the experts use for the how to’s of all things extra virgin olive oil. The California olive oil industry is fast growing, and there are many things consumers do not know when it comes to quality extra virgin olive oil. How To Taste Olive Oil: If you are a professional olive oil taster, or just want to experience how the experts properly taste, there is a process to follow. By following the steps below, you will be well on your way to properly tasting this liquid gold! • Experts always taste extra virgin olive oil in a dark blue tapered glass. It could almost be compared to a votive candle holder. The reason for this is to help trap the aromas in the glass and to not be able to see the color of the olive oil. Many people think that color of the olive oil is an indicator of the quality, but that is not true. • Once your oil is poured into...

Continue reading

What are the best corporate gifts?

Pasolivo Olive Oil Gifts
The term “positive workplace environment” is one most employees and working adults are likely aware of, and for good reason. The average person wants a job they are not only passionate about and enjoy, but also want to work in an environment where they feel valued, feel their work is valued, and where they can clock in to work each day knowing they are supported by their peers. As much as work is important, the people one works with are equally important and can arguably make or break job satisfaction. Finding a strong, supportive, and trusting group of people in a workplace is not always easy but thankfully, showing them your appreciation is. Thanks to Pasolivo’s personalized gifting, creating high-end custom corporate gifts has never been simpler or more thoughtful. There are a variety of corporate gifts to choose from, allowing you to find the perfect, high-quality gifts for every person who has made working more enjoyable and manageable. You can also choose to curate perfect corporate food gifts for clients, the possibilities are truly endless. Not only are there...

Continue reading

Gourmet and Healthy Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gifts for Clients, Coworkers, Friends or Family 

California High Quality EVOO
As 2022 begins, how many of us are making plans to be healthier?  I know I am, but how? There are many ways we can increase our health this year. Some of them seem way harder than others, like running a marathon or maybe goat yoga.  While these are both great ideas, I suggest that we all start with something a little bit easier. Add more quality olive oil to our diet. For the fifth year in a row, the Mediterranean diet ranks as the best overall diet according to U.S. News & World Report. If you don’t already know, the main component of the Mediterranean diet is extra virgin olive oil. Now I don’t know about you, but I would love to add a good olive oil to my diet and finish the year healthier than I started. (Maybe I can add in the marathon and the goat yoga next year. 😊 )    Be careful though when purchasing the extra virgin olive oil for your new health plan. There is a difference between olive oil and extra virgin...

Continue reading

Olive Oil Tasting

Pasolivo Olive Oil Tasting
Many people are very familiar with wine tasting, but did you know that you can do olive oil tasting too? Paso Robles is known for its amazing wines, but it is home to award winning, California olive oil producers too. When you are looking for things to do in Paso Robles, Pasolivo goes above and beyond when it comes to tasting olive oils. You are welcome to taste as many oils as you like (sometimes there are as many as 16 olive oils on the tasting flight). The oils are paired with different vinegars and balsamic as well as spices and salts as well. The Pasolivo associates enjoy sharing recipe ideas and ways to use the various products. For a full olive oil tasting experience, we recommend coming out to the ranch on the acclaimed Vineyard Drive in Paso Robles. You will enjoy the beautiful drive with many breathtaking views along the way. Once at Pasolivo, you can enjoy the rolling hills, towering oaks, and of course, the olive orchard. Pasolivo offers both indoor and outdoor tastings to guests. Once...

Continue reading

5 Most Frequently Asked Olive Oil Questions

Pasolivo Level II Olive Oil Sommelier, Marisa Bloch Gaytan
As Pasolivo’s Olive Oil Sommelier, I am asked many questions when it comes to all thing’s olive oil related. I thought it would be helpful to share the top 5 questions that have been asked lately and provide my expert answers! How to choose real extra virgin olive oil? With so much fraud in the olive oil industry it can be extremely difficult for consumers to decide which extra virgin olive oils are real. Many olive oils on the shelves are labeled as extra virgin but are not. The FDA unfortunately does not have heavy regulation on what is being imported and sold in the grocery stores in the United States. Some key things to look for to make sure you are getting a real high quality EVOO are: Is the olive oil you are purchasing certified extra virgin? Most producers who make high quality extra virgin olive oil, take the additional steps to get it certified. The California Olive Oil Council certifies most California extra virgin olive oils, but there are also the International Olive Oil Council for International...

Continue reading

Where Does Pasolivo Olive Oil Come From? 

Pasolivo Olive Ranch
The new year has just begun and with this fresh start often comes new resolutions. Maybe you plan on consistently going to the gym, starting your own passion project or side hustle, or maybe you simply want to make healthier choices when fueling your body. While the health benefits of consuming extra virgin olive oil (evoo) are unmatched, not all olive oil is created equal. This raises the question, “Where does olive oil come from, and more specifically, where does Pasolivo’s Olive Oil come from?” At Pasolivo we are committed to creating high quality extra virgin olive oil from olives that are sustainably farmed in Paso Robles, California. Studies have shown that up to 70 percent of “extra virgin olive oil” sold on shelves today does not comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture standards. We do not compromise on quality or taste which is why our olives are cold pressed only hours after being picked. This results in true evoo that has only been extracted once and contains the health benefits many consumers are looking for. So, the next time...

Continue reading